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Holiday parties are upon us which means, it's my favorite fashion season of the year! This is the only time of the year when everyone agrees that excess sequins and velvet are acceptable at all times. Big red bows become as normal as ballet flats. This week's Fashionista demonstrates how to perfectly execute holiday style for day or night. She's showing just enough skin balanced with her blazer and skirt, and her choice of incoporating pops of red with lipstick and a bandeau add the ideal amount of color. Her studded blazer makes the look perfect for day, and can be easily removed for a night time holiday party.

To get this Fashionista's holiday style combine velvet, lace, hints of gold and red, and replace sequins with small studs. Her choice in bold red lipstick combined with glamorous nail art adds an old hollywood feel to her style, which I adore. To get her look start with a sheer bodysuit, I like this long sleeve style from American Apparel as it balances your exposure. Wear a red bandeau underneath, and remember plain black tights on your legs! I am in love with this velvet high waisted mini skirt from Urban Outfitters. Add on your favorite black blazer over top, and if you're feeling daring try adding spikes to the shoulders for an extra bit of spice. This Fashionista's Steve Madden flats are one of my favorite pairs ever, I reccommend the gold for some added holiday excess. For amazing nail art inspiration stalk Wah Nails, go with something gold and red!

Remember to take the time to enjoy all the holiday parties, don't stress about having the perfect outfit OR spilling eggnog on the perfect outfit. You'll be celebrating with friends and family, and NOTHING is more fashionable than that.

I truly cannot believe that summer is already half over! Between work, interning and trying to maintain some semblance of a social life, the summer of 2012 has seriously flown by. I can’t say that I’m not excited for autumn; the boiling temps of July have made it difficult for even the smartest Fashionistas to stay cute and cool. One of my favorite fabrics, velvet, is generally reserved for colder days; however, this Fashionista managed to pull it off on a stroll through Loring Park.

I think I love velvet so much because it exudes a timeless luxury. If I could decorate my bedroom with velvet wallpaper, sheets, pillows and so on, I don’t think I would ever leave that room! When it comes to wearing velvet, I prefer black velvet. While colored velvet can be fun, I think it can get quite Christmas-y. This week’s Fashionista stuck to simple stripes of the pretty textile mixed with lightweight heathered gray stripes so she didn’t swelter in the late afternoon sun. For a full body, summertime appropriate velvet dress, check out American Apparel’s Velvet Tank Pencil Dress, in black or navy to keep in non-seasonal of course. Like this Fashionista chose to do, always keep your accessories simple when dealing with velvet. Black or nude flats are great for transitioning from work to afternoon happy hour. A classic Coach purse will last you for ages; I love the bright colors and the simplicity of the bags from Coach’s Legacy Collection.

As it gets closer to autumn, just throw a leather jacket or loose, cable knit sweater over your velvet dress with ankle boots or low rise Converse to achieve a snuggly, comfortable look that totally works for going to class. Learn from this Fashionista and work some black velvet into your wardrobe for a luxurious looking outfit in any season.